I'm not in favor of that idea whatsoever, it would take way too much physicality out of the game and lead to ALL kinds of inadvertant injuries... heads slamming to the turf, kicks to the head, all kinds of really nasty things would happen.

It would change the game for sure (which is why I'm not in favor of it), but I recall an article from a year or two ago which suggested that injuries have actually INCREASED with extra safety equipment over time since players tend to play like their gear will always protect them.